Roger Clemens hinted at a return to the majors for several weeks this summer, and Houston Astros owner Jim Crane did nothing to silence the speculation that the Rocket might pitch for his team either this September or next season. However, Clemens appears to have quieted any talk of a comeback.

Clemens, 50, made two impressive starts for the independent Sugarland Skeeters in August/September, but it sounds as if his days on the mound might have ended.

“I threw the ball pretty well,” Clemens told The Boston Globe. “But I would need a lot of time to get ready for the major leagues. Mr. Crane and I discussed it, but I don’t believe I’ll be on the mound.”

Clemens said he will be at spring training with the Astros, though it will be as an instructor.

The attention now will to his Hall of Fame candidacy, as Clemens will appear on the ballot for the first time later this year. Despite a 24-year major league career that included 354 wins, 4,672 strikeouts, seven Cy Young Awards and an MVP Award, suspicions of performance-enhancing drug use could keep Clemens out of Cooperstown.